ERWARTON PARISH PLAN

CONTENTS

Introduction 2 Maps and Demography 4 Process 7 Executive Summary 9 Summary of results 11 Appendix A 20 Acknowledgements Appendix B 21 Synergy with other strategies Appendix C 23 Tabulated Questionnaire Responses Appendix D 26 Walking Tour Report Appendix E 28 Erwarton Parish Action Plan

Front cover. Gatehouse of Erwarton Hall (16th Century)

1 ERWARTON PARISH PLAN

INTRODUCTION

The Parish of Erwarton (or Arwarton) is bounded to the north by the Parish of Chelmondiston, to the west by the Parish of Harkstead, to the east by the Parish of Shotley and to the south by the Stour estuary. Dwellings in Erwarton are grouped largely in three parts, around St Mary’s Church, around the Queen’s Head public house and around “Shop Corner” in the west with a further half dozen abutting the Shotley boundary. Habitation existed in Roman times and a significant number of dwellings existed at the time of the Doomsday Book. Its main historical link is via Erwarton Hall, a 16th Century stately home and the residence of an aunt of Ann Boleyn. The legend that Ann Boleyn’s heart was hidden in St Mary’s church gained some credence when in 1838 a casket containing a leather pouch with dust within was found embedded in the masonry.

St Mary’s Church, Erwarton

2 The Parish is rural in appearance and indeed is defined for planning purposes as ‘Countryside’. There is little employment locally other than agriculture and it is probable that most villagers in employment commute to Ipswich or beyond. Although the area and coastline is very attractive, tourism is not a significant factor other than the large number of walkers and cyclists who use the many, well marked, country paths.

Erwarton is the only village in the Parish and is within the administrative area of Babergh District Council, under the overall jurisdiction of Suffolk County Council. The main conurbation, Ipswich, lies some 10 miles away but, as Erwarton is towards the end of the Shotley peninsular, access to Ipswich is restricted to the B1456.

All of the Parish lies around the lane between Shotley and Harkstead. South of this lane towards the Stour estuary has been designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

3 MAPS AND DEMOGRAPHY

Location of Ipswich and Surroundings

Location of Erwarton

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At the time of the questionnaire, Erwarton had 57 households. Replies to the questionnaire were received from 43 households. 103 persons lived in the 43 households, so there was an average of 2.39 persons per household. If this average applies to all the households, the assumed population of Erwarton is 136. (Where population percentages are given below, they are derived from this figure.)

45 % of the population is male. 29% of the population is over 65 and 18% is under 18. Over half of the population is between 25 and 60.

Half of the population has lived in Erwarton for more than 15 years. Eleven residents were born in the village and about the same number have relatives living nearby. 40% of the residents moved into Erwarton to retire or to benefit from country or village life. 34% of the residents are in employment or are self employed and 27% have retired. About two dozen young persons are in full time education, with several others at sixth form college or on training courses. A half dozen or so people were seeking full or part time employment.

The dwellings contain around 180 bedrooms. 2 or 3 homes are not the main residence of the householder and a similar small number of independent sons/daughters are seeking alternative accommodation. For every two persons in the village there is a means of powered private transport. There are also about 50 bicycles.

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Parish of Erwarton Crown Copyright

6 THE PROCESS

In late 2003 Shotley Parish Council decided that a Parish plan was in the best interests of Shotley Parish. A Parish Plan Steering Committee was formed in March 2004 and was totally independent of Shotley Parish Council which, nevertheless, kindly acted as banker to the Steering Committee. Funding for the project came from the Countryside Agency, Shotley Parish Council and contributions from volunteers. Printing of this Parish Plan was made possible by a contribution from the Locality Fund administered by County Councillor David Wood.

Following discussions with the Countryside Agency, Erwarton Parish Meeting was invited to participate in the production of a joint Erwarton/Shotley Parish Plan. Erwarton Parish Meeting opted for a Plan that was solely for Erwarton. The Countryside Agency kindly agreed to a proposal for a separate Village Plan for Erwarton under the umbrella of the Shotley and Erwarton Parish Plan Steering Committee which subsequently included two representatives from Erwarton – Dr Kevin Smith as a member and Dr David Hall as Chairman of Erwarton Parish Meeting. Erwarton residents then embraced the project with enthusiasm and it was approved by Erwarton Parish Meeting in November 2004. Excellent collaboration with Shotley members of the Steering Committee resulted and members from Erwarton were able to make a major contribution to preparation of both Plans.

Production of a questionnaire was a substantial task for the Steering Committee and 68 questions from published lists were selected. A further 6 were added specifically for Erwarton residents based upon topics of interest raised at earlier Parish Meetings. A return rate of 79% from Erwarton households indicates the level of interest in the project.

A Working Party with six members was elected by Erwarton Parish Meeting in November 2004 in order to assist the Steering Committee and to analyse responses to questions and then to propose an Action Plan.

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As the Parish Plan is in ‘ownership’ of the Parish Meeting, every stage of the process was authorised at Parish meetings by formal and recorded votes. The Parish Plan remains in the ownership of the Parish Meeting, which has set up a Standing Committee, responsible only to the Parish Meeting, to put the Plan into action.

It must be emphasised that the Parish Plan is not a static document but is the beginning of an evolving process likely to experience changes in years to come.

Central Erwarton in the vale

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EXECUTIVE SUMMARY

One of the strengths of Erwarton Parish is that the democratic process takes place via the Parish Meeting not via a Parish Council. This means that every elector in the Parish has the right to attend Meetings and to vote. For 30% of the electorate to attend Meetings is not unusual and perhaps represents the closest to true democracy available in Britain today. Obtaining the views of the community in developing the Parish Plan was thus not difficult. As so many electors had attended Parish Meetings at one time or another, matters of importance to them were already known. Every household was visited at least twice by one of the six working party members in order to ensure that the questionnaire was completed and returned. 77 % of questionnaires were returned.

An analysis of the questionnaire returns led to a list of items that were seen as important by at least 50% of respondents. It is interesting that not one question from those other than ‘Erwarton-specific’ questions entered that list.

Most of the non “Erwarton-specific” questions related to changes which would be seen as improvements in an urban environment but which might be seen as undesirably intrusive in a rural environment. Although many respondents were sympathetic to ‘local needs’ housing there was an overwhelming resistance to ‘estate’ housing. There is an almost passionate desire for the Parish to remain independent. These three points, plus the fact that the ‘countryside’ aspect is crucially important, may lead us to deduce that the main driving force behind the responses is a strong desire for the village to retain its individuality and to remain “rural” in appearance.

9 Appendix A shows, in tabular form, the 7 “Action points”. These, in brief are: -

To ensure that the Parish remains independent and is not joined to any other parish.

To encourage Suffolk County Council to maintain the current Planning Policy for Erwarton.

Seek to have the existing A.O.N.B. boundary moved to the north.

Attempt to have power and telephone cables put underground.

Ensure that the countryside remains attractive.

To have the name of the Parish changed to Erwarton.

Explore the desirability and practicality of a play area and picnic area.

Drawing up of the Action Plan has led already to one action, which might not otherwise have occurred. Action point 4 proposes to seek funding to have power and telephone lines placed underground. An application is being made for funding from the money made available for the “under grounding” of power cables by ‘EDF Energy’.

10 SUMMARY OF RESULTS

A commentary on the 7 Action points follows.

1. Ensure that the Parish remains independent and is not joined with any other Parish. The fact that 98% of respondents wished the Parish to remain independent fully justifies this item having prime position. To describe this as an almost passionate desire is probably not an exaggeration. It will be the task of the Standing Committee to seek support of our District and County Councillors in resisting any attempt to join the Parish to another.

2. Encourage Suffolk County Council to maintain its current (2005) Planning Policy for Erwarton. A very high percentage of respondents were opposed to major housing developments and supported the County Council’s planning policy for Erwarton which designates Erwarton as ‘Countryside’ thus prohibiting building developments other than for ‘Local Needs’. Babergh District Council has the task of implementing the planning policy and has done so with rigour – earning the gratitude of villagers. It should not be thought that the responses to this question indicate a wish for the village to become moribund. On the contrary, responses to other questions showed a healthy and realistic reaction - in that about one half of respondents were in favour of infill housing, new small-scale workshops/workplaces and new housing linked to employment in the immediate area provided that these were to meet ‘Local Needs’. All that is required of the Standing Committee is that should County Council ever contemplate changing its planning policy for Erwarton it should make appropriate representations and seek the support of Babergh District Council to resist the change.

11 3. Seek to have the existing boundary of the ‘Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty’ moved to the north to encompass most of the Parish. In the 1950s, part of the Parish was designated an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty and the Area was bounded to the south by the Stour estuary and to the north by the middle of the lane which links Shotley to Harkstead via Erwarton. It must be evident to anyone driving along that lane that there is much land to the north of the road that is (and presumably was in the 1950s) as beautiful as that to the south. Perhaps the mapmakers at that time chose the lane as a boundary because it was a line already existing on maps and GPS was not then available. To move the boundary northwards is seen as of great benefit to the village and the boundary of the AONB is no longer restricted by the need for an existing line on the map. The land to the north of the road has been designated an “Additional Project Area” by the Suffolk Coasts and Heaths Unit. The rejection of applications in other counties is known and so the difficulty of obtaining this change is well appreciated. Nevertheless, the potential reward justifies the Standing Committee to seek the support of Babergh District and Suffolk County Councils in making a case to the Countryside Agency.

4. Seek funding to enable power and telephone cables to be placed underground. To seek to have power and telephone cables put underground is consistent with the feeling that the countryside should be preserved and was strongly supported. There are two strands to the Action required. Firstly, grants do become available from time to time and perhaps are more likely to be made available to a village recognising this as a priority in its Village Plan. The Standing Committee will need to seek expertise within the District Council for guidance as to how best to secure an advantageous position in the queue for funding. Secondly, even a cursory examination indicates that such a small population spread over a substantial length of road could contribute only a very small part of the costs involved. Again, the Standing Committee will need to seek expertise within the District Council for guidance on raising any sum that may be required to supplement a grant.

12 5. Ensure, as far as practicable, that the Countryside remains attractive. Responses to the questionnaire did not yield a practical definition of what is meant by the “Countryside remaining attractive”. Most probably, had the questions been asked, responses would be similar to those in other villages, asking for copses and hedges to be preserved. In addition we have the deduction that flows from responses – that urbanisation is inappropriate. The duty of the Standing Committee to the last point is clear, to ensure that District, County and, if applicable, Government authorities are made aware that any changes contemplated within the Parish should be assessed against the criterion of no accompanying urbanisation. Attempting to influence the loss or preservation of copses and hedgerows may be outside the remit of the Standing Committee but this needs to be explored with the appropriate section of Babergh District Council.

6. Rationalise the names of Village and Parish by changing the name of the Parish to Erwarton. Parishes were set up by Suffolk County Council in the 1860s. The name of the village was Erwarton, a name which has been acceptable, as far as can be told, ever since. The Parish has been referred to as Erwarton in the Parish records for 140 years and the Parish Meeting has been addressed as Erwarton Parish Meeting. How the name Arwarton for the Parish was chosen is not clear but confusion between the two names is a source of irritation. There are even two road signs, one pointing to Erwarton and one to Arwarton. Letters from departments of the District and County Councils are likely to be addressed to Arwarton or Erwarton Parish and refer to Erwarton or Arwarton village. The problem seems to stem from the 17th Century when spelling was arbitrary and documents exist with Erwarton and Arwarton being used indiscriminately. At the time of the Doomsday Book, spelling was precise and the fact that the name of the parish lands was Eurewardestuna is a justification, albeit tenuous, to rationalise the spelling of Village and Parish as Erwarton.

13 The growing use of the internet has made this request more than just a convenience. Someone seeking an Erwarton web- site is unlikely to look for Arwarton. The Standing Committee is expected to make a formal request for the change to Suffolk County Council.

7. Leisure facilities. A small number of responses was in favour of a picnic area and a small number in favour of a children’s play area. Both suggestions face problems which may not exist in most villages. The first is that the Village is spread over 4 widely separated sites and the distances involved may preclude use of an area by residents in distant sites. The second is that any financial support by villagers will be very limited due to the small population. The Standing Committee is expected to keep the suggestions under review.

The following items do not form part of the Action Plan but provide valuable information some of which require the Standing Committee to liaise with other bodies.

8. Footpaths. Footpaths in the Parish have recently been clarified and mapped with consequent general satisfaction.

9. Housing need Individuals in 2 of the 43 responding households indicated a need for alternative accommodation for independent children.

23 of 76 respondents say the neighbourhood can accommodate more housing, but 44 say it cannot. 30 replies indicate that homes are needed for young people and 23 say housing is required for young families.

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Autumn view of typical, highly fertile, agricultural land.

10. Cars & Transport The village is heavily dependent upon private transportation, but the Buzabout service is also used. 75% of the respondents have a driving licence with access to a vehicle during the day. Some people are prepared to share private vehicles for shopping, social and other trips. Most would not be prepared to do this.

A significant number of residents use bicycles and believe that the facilities locally are reasonable apart from dangers on the B1456.

11. Quality of Life 61 respondents quoted either the environment or the situation as the most important quality of the area. 34 people think that the quality of life is the same as 10 years ago while a third as many think it is worse. It has improved for just three.

15 12. Local Health Services The nearest doctor’s surgery for Erwarton villagers is near the western end of Shotley which is about 2 miles away from Shop Corner at the western end of the village. It is anticipated by the local Health Authority that this surgery will need to be moved and to grow to meet the increasing size of the Shotley community. Erwarton residents were asked how far they would be prepared to travel to the GP surgery. 61 out of 73 respondents said that they would be happy to travel one to five miles. Only six respondents wanted a surgery closer than this. The village has 9 persons who are registered as disabled. Well over half of the respondents never have any difficulty getting to their health services.

Almost half of the Erwarton residents (72% of respondents) thought that, of the local health services, the GP surgery was good, 17 also thought that the district nurse service was good. Small numbers of residents, never more than five, rated some of the local health services as poor. 62 out of 76 respondents have no difficulties collecting prescriptions. The GP surgery has a dispensary.

13. Other Public Services Most people have not had to use public services such as Fire, Police, Ambulance, Coastguard, etc. Of those who have used them small numbers rate various services as poor. The worst rating, with 14 respondents was for the local bobby in non emergency situations. The nearest police station to Erwarton is at Capel St Mary, about 11 miles away on the A12.

Although 71 of 77 respondents felt that there is nowhere unsafe in Erwarton, 26 wished for a greater police presence, 22 wanted a neighbourhood watch and 16 wanted more education to prevent drugs and drink problems.

65 of 72 respondents rated the waste disposal site on the B1456 as good or reasonable. 63 thought the shopping facilities were reasonable or poor. (There are no shops in Erwarton.) 54 persons use the local post offices for postal

16 services and 30 said they use them for various licences and to pay bills. Clearly, local post offices are needed and used.

A surprising 59 of 74 respondents gather information on local events from the parishes’ magazine. Significant numbers use local newspapers and notice boards.

Two thirds of the respondents rate the information offered as reasonable while 17% say it is good. 50% also say that a web site giving the same information would be good. 76 of 79 respondents use the telephone to communicate with people they know, 45 say it is the mobile and half of these use text messaging. Email and post are also well used. Although 25 respondents never use the Internet, some use it at work and occasionally; 13 persons regard the Internet as integral to their work or play; 14 persons have no interest in it and six are without a computer.

Around 50% of the responding population say the local council publicise its decisions and activities reasonably or very well. 28% say it is done badly or have no opinion. About one third want more information and the same number do not.

Mains water, electricity and refuse collection were all rated as good or reasonable.

14. The Countryside The quality of the countryside is very important to 58 of 78 respondents and important to a further 17. More than half say it has not changed while a few say it has got worse. 31 of 77 respondents want open spaces for locals to picnic and children to play.

17 15. Local Economy Respondents were asked to indicate what parts of the local economy they wish to see grow. The responses of 70 persons are given below: -

Strongly In No Reservations Definite favour favour opinion no Tourism 17 23 3 13 7 Small business 10 14 6 25 6 Small industrial 12 16 4 19 8 workshops Job creation 5 4 12 28 12 Increased retail 9 12 7 21 15 Pubs, 5 35 3 10 8 Restaurants, Take-aways

16. The published report The vast majority of respondents, 82%, wish to have the results of the survey made public by an information sheet through every door.

17. Youth Section As the young people of Erwarton seek recreation and entertainment beyond the Village, processing of their responses was a joint Erwarton/Shotley exercise.

A questionnaire was delivered to every household with young people in Erwarton and Shotley and 137 responses were received from young people within the age range 11 to 21.

There were three common strands in the responses: -

(1) The feeling that the B1456 was dangerous to cyclists and that a separate cycle track was needed (a view shared by many adults). As the B1456 passes through Shotley and not Erwarton, an entry in the Shotley Village Plan is appropriate

18 and recommends that “Parishes along the B1456, with the District and County Councils to investigate and secure funding to establish a safe cycle route along the B1456 if not provided by S106 agreement”. (2) The need for a multi functional centre for sport and recreation including computing facilities for general and educational use. This, coupled with an expressed desire by many adults for access to computer tuition, led to the proposal for a “cyber café” facility that is set out in the Shotley Parish Plan. (3) A general desire for the formation of a Youth Council. This eminently sensible suggestion will be implemented via a section within the Shotley Parish Plan. The many other observations made in the responses will be referred to the Youth Council for assessment and subsequent recommendations. The desire for a play area, specific to Erwarton, appears as item 7 in the action plan. The young people of Erwarton are to be commended for the thought that led to their many other constructive suggestions – which will no doubt be considered by the Youth Council.

Misty sunset over the Stour

19 Appendix A Acknowledgements Members of the Erwarton Parish Plan Working Party were: -

John Cunningham Peter Guile David Hall Frank Norman Kevin Smith Peter Veenbaas

In addition the Working Party would like to express its thanks to the following for their help:

Annette Grey of Suffolk Acre

Chris Dashper of The Countryside Agency

Graham Steele, Chairman of the Shotley and Erwarton Parish Plan Steering Committee

Shotley Parish Council

Suffolk County Councillor David Wood

20 Appendix B Synergy with other strategies

Babergh East Local Strategic Partnership The aim of the Babergh East Community Plan is to improve the economic, social and environmental well-being of the communities within the area covered by the Plan. It proposes to do this by addressing identified key issues which are: reducing Crime and the Fear of Crime health Improvement access to Services and Facilities services for Young People promoting a Thriving Rural Economy protecting and Enhancing the Environment

The Babergh Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership The Babergh Crime and Disorder Reduction Partnership aims to work together to build a safer, stronger and more secure Suffolk. Specifically: to reduce British Crime Survey (BCS) comparator recorded crime by 13.5% by March 2008. to reduce the number of recorded incidents of anti-social behaviour by 5% by 2008 across Suffolk. to reduce the harm that drugs and alcohol cause to communities to reduce the number of deliberate fires by 10%, by 2010

Babergh Youth Strategy To work together with young people to promote and enable their active involvement in the decisions that affect their lives; and to work together with young people and partner organisations to improve services and opportunities for young people living in Babergh. Working together with young people in decision making Improve access to advice and information Removing barriers to access Providing things to do and facilities Promoting health and safety for young people Improving the local environment

Babergh District Council Corporate Objectives To work with others to: Establish a safe, secure and healthy community Promote a thriving, caring, inclusive community Protect and improve the environment. Provide all services efficiently and effectively Listen to and involve local people

Babergh District Council Economic Development Strategy Undertaking and supporting initiatives to keep unemployment to a minimum by creating new quality employment opportunities Protecting and enhancing existing employment sites

21 Encouraging a good range of shopping facilities in town centres Ensuring that the District economy derives maximum benefit from relevant organisations and exploits sources of regeneration finance Ensuring suitable land is available to fulfil the needs of natural growth and to attract suitable targeted inward investment Encouraging the retention and provision of village facilities, including shops and local employment sites

Commission for Rural Communities England’s rural communities should be diverse, thriving and sustainable, where everyone is able to play a full part in society and where no-one is disadvantaged. The Structure Plan for Suffolk The overall aim of the Structure Plan for Suffolk will be to sustain and enhance the health, quality and integrity of the built and natural environment, and to ensure that development does not result in material damage to critical environmental resources.

Suffolk Local Area Agreement The LAA is structured around three high-level priorities that are shared by central government and Suffolk. They are: Children and Young People; Safer, Stronger and Sustainable Communities; and Healthier Communities and Older People

Suffolk East Health and Social Care System (led by Suffolk East Primary Care Trusts) The Local Strategic Framework (extract) Build a sustainable, high quality and financially sound health and social care system. Develop integrated services around the needs of patients Deliver services as close to home as possible Improve health through partnership. Increase patient choice and diversity of providers Involve patients, staff and other stakeholders in our planning and decision making

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APPENDIX C

Summary of responses to Questionnaires in Erwarton

The Erwarton questionnaire was in two parts. A set of six questions related specifically to known village issues that are regularly raised in one form or another at the Parish Meetings. The second part of the questionnaire was drawn up by the Shotley Parish Plan Steering Committee and includes a large number of general questions.

The Erwarton Specific results appear below first, followed by the responses to the general questionnaire.

23 SUMMARY DATA - ERWARTON QUESTIONNAIRE (Questionnaires returned: 82)

1. Would you support any of the following developments in the Parish of Erwarton? (a) New infill housing YES 43.9% NO 54.9% NA 1.2% (b) New housing linked to employment in this and neighbouring parishes YES 45.1% NO 53.7% NA 1.2% (c) New small-scale workshop/workplace YES 56.1% NO 40.2% NA 3.7% (d) Change of use of existing premises YES 59.8% NO 36.6% NA 3.7% (e) Extensions to existing premises YES 67.1% NO 30.5% NA 2.4% (f) Increased tourism (B&B, holiday lets) YES 50.0% NO 47.6% NA 2.4% (g) New housing estate YES 12.2% NO 86.6% NA 1.2% 2. Do you think the current planning policy should be maintained? YES 82.9% NO 14.6% NA 2.4% 3. Do you agree that Erwarton should remain a separate Parish? YES 97.6% NO 2.4% NA 4. Would you support an investigation into moving the AONB boundary? YES 75.6% NO 20.7% NA 3.7% 5. Do you agree that we should seek funding to move the utility cables underground? YES 78.0% NO 18.3% NA 3.7% 6. Do you support a proposal to change the Parish name from Arwarton to Erwarton? YES 69.5% NO 28.0% NA 2.5%

24 The following are the results of the general questionnaire

Turnout

At the time of the questionnaire, Erwarton had 57 dwellings with one empty. 43 responding households (77% of the total) housed 103 residents, of which 54 were female. The ages were as noted below: -

Age Group Male Female Percentage of total 0-4 1 5 6 5-10 9 3 11 11-15 1 5 6 16-17 1 1 2 18-24 0 1 1 25-44 9 11 19 45-59 8 12 19 60-64 6 6 11 65-74 8 5 13 75-84 4 4 8 85+ 2 1 3

25 APPENDIX D Report on the walking tour consultations

The Shotley and Erwarton Walking Club has been in existence for over 10 years and its regular members have a wealth of knowledge and experience about the history, people and places around the Parish.

Three walks were held recently and 79 people in total took part. The routes took in almost all of the Parishes of Shotley and Erwarton. Here are some of the issues that came up:

How few of the important buildings in the area are listed, although it was recognised that listing could be an unaffordable burden for some property owners

There is very little information concerning the archaeology (hidden history) of the area

There are no conservation areas in the villages although there are potential candidates including Erwarton Church

There are hardly any interpretive materials such as information boards, plaques, etc concerning the flora, fauna and history of the area or of individual places and buildings

Almost all of the listed buildings are accessible to view from the outside although none are accessible to the general public

As there are many areas of environmental importance and sensitivity next to what are in effect major industrial complexes many people would like to know more about what special measures are taken to protect these areas

Many of the farms had once supplied the local community with produce; there are currently no local outlets for producers

Signing of footpaths is generally good but could be better and could include distances between locations and details of where the paths end up

Where footpaths follow the roads there are stretches that are dangerous: Corner Garage to Erwarton for example.

Facilities for cyclists are extremely poor; there are no dedicated

26 cycle paths in the area; the brown Cycle Route paths are “cryptic”

There are few places to rest (benches) along the paths

Fences, gates and stiles are generally in good order, there was only one “dog friendly” stile found

Dangerous structures such as sluices are also in good order and seem safe

Dog fouling is a problem in a lot of areas

Alternatives routes to the cliff path along The Stour that has eroded are not marked and/or are unclear.

27 Appendix E. Erwarton Parish Action Plan

The Action How it will be tackled Priority Partners Timescale Lead Resource implications Responsibility 1. Ensure that the Parish Make appropriate bodies aware that 98% of High District Immediate and Standing Committee None remains independent and is respondents take this view. and subsequently to be appointed not joined with any other County when annually by the Parish. Councils. beneficial. Parish Meeting. 2. Encourage Suffolk Make all appropriate bodies aware that 87% of the High District Immediate and As above None County Council to maintain respondents felt that Erwarton was not an appropriate and subsequently its current (2005) Planning site for a housing estate and that 83% were in favour of County when Policy for Erwarton. Suffolk County Council’s current planning policy for Councils. beneficial. (Building developments Erwarton. Also that just over half the respondents were being restricted to ‘Local in favour of new small-scale workshops/workplaces Needs’ and ‘Farming and that about half were in favour of infill, also that Related’). almost half were in favour of new housing linked to employment in the immediate area. The last three points fall into the category of ‘Local Needs’. 3. Seek to have the existing Investigate, via the District and County Councils, how High District Immediate and As above None known. boundary of the ‘Area of best to make a formal request to The Countryside and subsequently Outstanding Natural Beauty’ Agency. County as advised. moved to the North where Councils. within the Parish. 4. Seek funding to enable (1) With guidance and help, ensure that Erwarton joins High District Immediate and As above The cost is known to be power and telephone cables the queue of applicants for available grants for this and subsequently substantial and if a 50% to be placed under-ground. purpose. County as advised. grant were to be made, (2) Attempt to secure funding to assist any necessary Councils. help would be needed contribution by the Parish. towards the Parish contribution because of the small population. 5. Ensure, as far as Liaising with Planning and Highway authorities and High District Immediate and As above None practicable, that the relevant Government agencies, and informing them and subsequently Countryside remains that this aspect was seen as very important by 76% of County as advised. attractive. respondents. Councils. 6. Rationalise the names of Formally request the County Council to change the Medium County Immediate. As above. Not known. Village and Parish by name as justified by the support of 70% of Council. changing the name of the respondents. Parish to Erwarton. 7. Investigate the views of By a questionnaire to each individual. Medium During 2006. As above Minimal residents regarding the desirability of a play area and/or a picnic area.

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